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Dashed Hopes

Dashed Hopes
Continuation of the Gaza Blockade


RCT
Dashed Hopes

This report is published by:

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL UK

BROEDERLIJK DELEN

CAFOD

CCFD-TERRE SOLIDAIRE

CHRISTIAN AID

CHURCH OF SWEDEN

CORDAID

DIAKONIA

EURO-MEDITERRANEAN HUMAN RIGHTS NETWORK (EMHRN)

HANDICAP INTERNATIONAL

ICCO

IKV PAX CHRISTI

INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS (FIDH)

MEDICAL AID FOR PALESTINIANS

MEDICO INTERNATIONAL

MERLIN

MS ACTION AID DENMARK

NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL (NRC)

QUAKER COUNCIL FOR EUROPEAN AFFAIRS

OXFAM INTERNATIONAL

Rehabilitation and Research Centre for Torture Victims (RCT )

REDD BARNA

SAVE THE CHILDREN UK

TROCAIRE

UCP

Cover Picture:
Photo credit: Karl Schembri/Oxfam
Half dark: Half of Gaza City in a blackout

2 Continuation of the Gaza Blockade


Dashed Hopes

1. Introduction
On June 20, 2010, following concerted international pressure, the Government
of Israel announced a set of measures to ease its illegal blockade of the Gaza
Strip. This included:

P
 ublishing a list of items not permitted into Gaza and allowing all other items
to enter;

E
 xpanding and accelerating the inflow of construction materials for
international projects;

E
 xpanding operations at the crossings and opening more crossings as more
processing capacity becomes necessary and security conditions allow;
Photo credit: Karl Schembri/Oxfam
Palestinian men collect gravel from destroyed buildings in Gaza,
here near the Erez crossing, close to the Israeli security zone.
S
 treamlining entry/exit permits for medical and humanitarian reasons and for
aid workers;

F acilitating the movement of people in additional ways as conditions and


security allow. 1
Many in the international community, including Quartet Representative Tony
Blair, expressed hopes that this would lead to a major change and alleviate
the plight of the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza.2 However, five months
later, there are few signs of real improvement on the ground as the ease has
left foundations of the illegal blockade policy intact. In order to have a positive
impact on the daily lives of the 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza, half of whom
are children, Israel must fully lift its blockade of the Gaza Strip.

While the Government of Israel committed to expand and accelerate the inflow
of construction materials for international projects, it has so far only approved
7 per cent of the building plan for UNRWAs projects in Gaza, and of that 7
per cent only a small fraction of the necessary construction material has been
allowed to enter for projects including schools and health centres. 3 In fact, the
UN reports that Gaza requires 670,000 truckloads of construction material,
while only an average of 715 of these truckloads have been received per month
since the easing was announced.4

3 Continuation of the Gaza Blockade


Dashed Hopes

While the Government of Israel committed to expand operations at the


crossings and to open further crossings as necessary, and has indeed
undertaken an expansion of the operations at the limited Kerem Shalom
crossing, the main Karni commercial crossing stands idle. While the
Government of Israel committed to more than double operations at the Karni
conveyor belt, the operations there have in fact decreased since the easing.
Exports remain banned and except for the humanitarian activity of exporting a
small amount of strawberries, not a single truck has left Gaza since the easing.

Although there has been a significant increase in the amount of food stuffs
entering Gaza, many humanitarian items, including vital water equipment,
that are not on the Israeli restricted list continue to receive no permits. Two
thirds of Gazas factories report they have received none or only some of the
raw materials they need to recommence operations. As a result, 39% of Gaza
residents remain unemployed and unable to afford the new goods in the
shops. Without raw materials and the chance to export, Gazas businesses are
unable to compete with the cheaper newly imported goods. This economic
development leaves 80% of the population dependent upon international aid.

More Palestinian businesspeople than before have been allowed to leave Gaza,
but ordinary Gaza residents are still denied access to their friends and family,
andto educational opportunities in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and abroad.

While restrictions on access to and from Gaza date back to the 1990s, these
restrictions were intensified leading to the current blockade after Hamas
took control of the Strip in June 2007. The Israeli Security Cabinet declared
Gaza a hostile entity and decided to impose additional sanctions restricting
the passage of goods, fuel and people. Israel has a duty to protect its citizens
from security threats and the measures it uses to do so must conform to
international humanitarian and human rights law.5 This includes its legal
obligation as an occupying power to protect the safety, rights and needs of
the occupied civilian population. The government of Israel holds the position
that the restrictions and procedures are part of legitimate warfare.6 However,
the International Committee of the Red Cross has recently confirmed that the
blockade constitutes a collective punishment of the entire civilian population
of Gaza and is in clear violation of international humanitarian law.7

Following the Israeli announcement of steps to easethe blockade,


international attention shifted to the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations and the
pressure from the international community to lift the blockade was also eased.
The current approach risks perpetuating what is an unacceptable situation
and fails to recognise that there cannot be a just and durable resolution of the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict without an end to the isolation and punishment
of people in Gaza. The Government of Israel and parts of the international
community remain reluctant to fully lift the blockade as long as Hamas holds
power in Gaza. Yet, upholding the rights and needs of civilians in Gaza must not
be conditional on other political objectives. Civilians in Gaza cannot wait until
the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations are concluded.

Lifting the blockade of Gaza remains a legal, economic and political imperative
for those seeking a lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The
time for credible and effective action is now.

4 Continuation of the Gaza Blockade


Dashed Hopes

Israels easing of the Gaza blockade:


promises and realities
Easing measures Summary of
announced on 20 June 20108 implementation and results
Imports
P  ublish a list of items not permitted into Gaza (negative list). Imports increased from 20% to 35% of pre-blockade levels; primarily
All items absent from this list will be permitted to enter Gaza. consumer goods including food. 9
The published negative list extends far beyond the international
definition of dual-use items.10
Many items absent from the list still require special approval and many
of them have not received it.11
Imports of many raw materials still restricted.12
Negative impact of cheap imports on local production.

Construction materials
Allow the entry of restricted construction materials for Inflow of construction materials at only 11% of pre-blockade levels.13
international projects in Gaza approved by the Palestinian Delays and extra costs due to complex approval and monitoring
Authority. procedures.
Only 25 UNRWA projects approved in principle, i.e. 7% of UNRWA
Expand and accelerate their inflow building plan; only a small fraction of materials for these 25 projects
received.14
Reconstruction of peoples homes hampered due to exclusion of private
sector.
Crossings operation
Expand operations and capacity of crossings to Gaza, Crossings operation still far from sufficient for the level of imports
enabling the processing of a significantly greater volume of and exports required.
goods. (Further elaborated as allowing 250 trucks per day Kerem Shalom crossing: 183 trucks entering per day on average, up
at Kerem Shalom crossing, to be increased to 400 in the first from 86 prior to easing.16
half of 2011; and allowing 360 truckloads per week through Karni crossing with capacity to process over 750 trucks daily
a conveyor at Karni crossing.15) remains closed except for a conveyor belt. The conveyor is
O pen additional crossings as more processing capacity processing only 137 truckloads per week on average, down from 158
becomes necessary and when security concerns are fully prior to easing, and only 38% of what was promised.17
addressed. Erez crossing remains opened for restricted movement of people
only. Other Israeli crossings Sufa and Nahal Oz - remain closed.
Movement of people
Streamline permits for entry and exit for humanitarian and Increase in permits for businesspeople.
medical reasons and for aid workers. Overall ban on exit and entry still in place. No expansion of the few
As conditions improve, consider additional ways to facilitate exceptional categories of Palestinians allowed to travel through
the movement of people to and from Gaza. Israeli controlled crossings. Number of exits below 1% of 2000
levels.18
Fewer permits approved for UN local humanitarian staff than before
easing.19 Permit policy for aid workers and medical patients still
arbitrary, unpredictable and time consuming.

Not mentioned in the announcement:


Exports
Ban on exports continues. Except for the humanitarian activity of exporting a small amount of strawberries, not a single truck of
exports has left Gaza since the easing until now. Israel has signalled willingness to allow some exports by spring 2011 but makes it
conditional on presence of Palestinian Authority at the crossings. 20
Fuel imports
N
 o easing of fuel restrictions. Fuel for the power plant remains limited at 68% of its maximum capacity; cooking gas imports have been
at around 53% of average needs; almost no diesel and petrol allowed for commercial sector.21 Due to the power plant fuel restrictions,
exacerbated by intra-Palestinian disagreements, there is a chronic lack of electricity and regular blackouts, affecting provision of essential
services, including water supply, sewage treatment, and health services..
Buffer zone
No change. Access to around 35% of Gazas farmland and 85% of maritime areas for fishing remains restricted by the Israeli buffer
zone, with devastating impact on the economy and peoples rights and livelihoods. An estimated 178,000 people are directly affected.
Boundaries of the restricted areas are highly arbitrary and enforced by live fire: 6 civilians have been killed (2 of them children) and
57 injured (10 of them children) by Israeli fire in the buffer zone since the easing of the blockade.23

5 Continuation of the Gaza Blockade


Dashed Hopes

2. Paralysed economy
Israels easing measures have relaxed restrictions on the number of imports of
many basic goods banned since the imposition of the blockade in June 2007,
such as spices, clothes, cosmetics, refrigerators and cars, and reduced their flow
through the tunnels under the Egyptian border. For the population of Gaza, this
means improved availability of these goods, often at lower prices and better
quality, than through the tunnel trade. However, the number of items entering
remains restricted, and given the general impoverishment caused by the
blockade, few in Gaza can afford to buy many of these goods.

Consumer goods make up the majority of import volumes. Food items, which
constituted less than 20% of goods entering Gaza before the blockade, now
account for 44% of imports.24 In order to restart local production and revive the
economy, entry of raw materials is vital. While some raw materials including
textiles, wood, drink concentrates and industrial margarine gradually started
Photo credit: Karl Schembri/Oxfam moving in, many remain restricted. In a survey of Gaza businesses between July
Khaled Nasan, former textile factory owner, now selling second hand and September 2010, only 18% of companies indicated that they received all
clothes coming from Israel at the Gaza market: Until 2004 we used to
send up to 400 clothing items to Israel everyday from trousers to shirts the raw materials they needed, while 44% received only some and 38% received
and underwear. Now we depend on the second hand clothes the Israelis none.14
send us. I used to make 1,000 shekels a day. Nowadays I just open the shop
so that by the end of the day I might make enough money to eat with my
wife and four children, and pay the university fees of two of them. UNRWA In addition to limitations on access to raw materials, Gazas productive sector is
sends us food aid and thank God for that, because without that help what paralysed by the continuing ban on exports.26 In the past Gazas economy was
would we do?
largely reliant on exports of goods such as furniture, clothing and textiles, food
and agricultural products, providing livelihoods to tens of thousands of workers
and their families. The scale of economic activity in Gaza is now dependent on
Situation in the Gaza Strip: local demand, which in turn is constrained by the low purchasing power of the
key humanitarian indicators population and the relatively small size of the local market.27

8
 0% of the population is dependent on Even under the 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access signed by Israel, the
international aid.35 target for exports from Gaza was set at 400 trucks per day. In contrast, under
the blockade since June 2007, only 224 truckloads of exports in total have been
61% of the population is food insecure.36 allowed out of Gaza (occasional shipments of carnations and strawberries).28 In
the meantime, the only exports leaving Gaza are passing through the tunnels
U
 nemployment rate is around 39%, one of the under the Egyptian border.
highest in the world.37
According to the World Bank, the prohibition on exports combined with the
P
 ower outages usually last 4-6 hours a day and restrictions on raw materials preclude the revival of the private sector.29
often longer.38 Currently, 65% of industrial businesses in Gaza are shut down and the rest
operate only at partial capacity. The sector is currently employing 6,000 workers,
6
 0% of Gazas population receives running
down from 35,000 prior to the blockade.30
water only once every 4 or 5 days, for 6-8
hours.39
The easing of imports is, paradoxically, also undermining the remaining local
5
 0 to 80 million litres of untreated or partially production. Many producers in Gaza cannot compete with the lower prices
treated sewage are released into the sea every day.40 of newly imported goods such as cheap textiles of Chinese origin and food
products from Israel, while access to their former export markets remains
A
 bout 90% of water supplied to Gaza residents banned.31
is not suitable for drinking and is contaminated
with salt and nitrates.41 The much reported economic growth of 16% in Gaza relates to the period
between the first quarter of 2009 and first quarter of 2010, prior to the easing.
7
 8% of homes with major damages from The World Bank partly attributes this growth to a lowered base for comparison
Operation Cast Lead have not been rebuilt .43 caused by the plunge in economic activity during Operation Cast Lead and
subsequent months of 2009. According to the World Bank it also reflects the
inflows of humanitarian assistance, the thriving tunnel operations as well as
smaller easing steps taken by Israel during the given period.32 The IMF adds
that this growth is unlikely to last if imports of private investment inputs and
exports to Israel remain prohibited.33 Gazas economic output per capita is
today 40% lower than it was in 1994, at the start of the Oslo peace process.34

6 Continuation of the Gaza Blockade


Dashed Hopes

3. Homes and schools denied


According to UN agencies, the Gaza Strip needs about 86,000 new housing
units to accommodate past population growth and also to replace the homes
destroyed or damaged as a result of Israeli military operations. It would
require the entry of over 670,000 truckloads of construction materials into
Gaza in order to build these units.43 Since the easing of the blockade only 715
truckloads of construction materials for all uses (not only housing) have entered
Gaza per month on average, a mere 11% of pre-blockade levels.44 At this rate, it
would take many decades to build the needed homes, while the unmet housing
needs grow each day the blockade continues.

Since the easing of the blockade, the Israeli authorities have approved only
25 UNRWA projects (such as schools, clinics and housing units), representing
a mere 7% of UNRWAs building plan. Only a small fraction of the truckloads
needed to complete these 25 projects have been received so far. The delays have
Photo credit: Karl Schembri/Oxfam a highly detrimental impact on the UNRWA construction programme.45
Reem Said Hassanein, mother of 6 from Zeitoun, husband unemployed,
former construction worker, Oxfams Urban Voucher Programme beneficiary:
Today is the first time in three years that he has been called to work for the
In its announcement of 20 June, the Government of Israel committed to
day. I have no idea how it will be tomorrow as there are no guarantees for allow, expand and accelerate entry of construction materials into Gaza for
work, but thank God there is some construction going on now that small
amounts of cement have started entering Gaza. When we got married we
projects implemented by the international community and approved by the
could buy our house and furniture and live a good life, but now I couldnt Palestinian Authority (PA). However, the progress of these projects has been
even buy food for my childrens breakfast before they go to school, were it not very limited due to Israels lengthy approval process and its onerous monitoring
and verification requirements. After a project is approved in principle, a
for the food vouchers were receiving.

detailed schedule has to be negotiated and each individual truckload then


must be approved. Use of each construction item then has to be extensively
documented from point of entry to its final placement through regular
40,000 children turned away reporting including multiple photographs. This results in significant additional
from UN schools costs to international agencies and their donors.
Because UNRWA was unable to get construction
materials to build new schools, 40,000 eligible One of the delaying factors is a restricted operation of the conveyor belt at the
children could not be enrolled at UNRWA schools Karni crossing used for the entry of construction materials as well as wheat
at the start of the new academic year and were grain and animal feed. Despite Israels agreement in July 2010 to expand its
referred to schools under the authority of the operation to 120 truckloads daily for 3 days per week46, the conveyor belt
Hamas government. Over 90% of UNRWA schools continues to operate at 80 truckloads for 2 days per week, i.e. less than half of
are already running double shifts and shipping the promised weekly capacity (and often only 1 day per week due to frequent
containers are sometimes used as classrooms. technical breakdowns). In fact, the weekly average number of truckloads
Israel has so far approved - in principle - only entering via the conveyor belt decreased from 158 prior to the easing to 137
6 out of 100 schools needed by UNRWA to since then.47 Due to this bottleneck, UNRWA has received just a fraction of the
accommodate students in the coming years.48 truckloads of construction items due to enter Gaza per the schedule agreed
with Israel.

For Gazas private sector, the situation is even worse. The private sector is
excluded from the possibility to import construction materials including
concrete, steel and gravel, hampering efforts of people in Gaza to rebuild their
homes, businesses and other property.49 Over 6,000 homes were destroyed or
severely damaged during Operation Cast Lead and only 22% of the homes with
major damage have been repaired so far, using recycled rubble and cement
smuggled through the tunnels.50

The Government of Israel has stated that it restricts entry of construction


materials because they are liable to be used for Hamas military purposes
and that it will only permit their entry for international projects approved
by the PA.51 However, with cement available through the tunnels, by default
the consequence of this policy ends up restricting building materials for the
international organisations that face both Israels burdensome procedures
and donor governments restrictions on procurement. Meanwhile, average
Palestinian civilians cannot afford the inflated prices of materials from the
tunnels. Furthermore, by tying projects of the international community in Gaza
more closely to the Palestinian Authority as opposed to the Hamas authorities,
the new policy is further entrenching intra-Palestinian divisions and politicising
international aid in Gaza.

7 Continuation of the Gaza Blockade


Dashed Hopes

4. Population locked in
Palestinians freedom of movement including to travel, work, study and
Case Study: Nasma Abu Lasheen visit family members abroad continues to be denied. The ban on movement
and access to health care applies also to travel between Gaza and the West Bank including East
Nasma Abu Lasheen, a two year-old girl from Gaza Jerusalem togetherrecognised as a single territorial unit by the international
suffering from leukaemia, died on 16 October 2010 community and Israel as signatory parties to the Oslo Accords. Such movement
after Israeli authorities failed to issue her an urgent would be essential for a normal functioning of the Palestinian society. In
permit in time for life-saving medical treatment at an the announcement on the easing, the Government of Israel stated that as
Israeli hospital. When the permit was granted after conditions improve, it will consider ways to facilitate the movement of people
more than a weeks delay, it was already too late.56 to and from Gaza. However, apart from the case of businesspeople, there has
been no visible easing of the restrictions and no expansion of the criteria. Since
Palestinian patients seeking specialised medical August 2010, only 2,140 residents (from the exceptional categories) have been
treatment unavailable in Gaza are one of the very allowed to exit Gaza via the Erez crossing per month on average, similar to
few categories allowed to leave the Gaza Strip - if the levels prior to the easing.52 This is less than 1% of the number of exits in
granted a permit. However, the permits are still September 2000, before Israel tightened its restrictions on the movement of
frequently delayed or denied by Israeli authorities, Palestinians.53
which can have dire consequences. Delayed patients
generally miss their hospital appointments and need Despite the Israeli authorities commitment in the 20 June announcement
to start the permit process over again. Since 2009, to streamline entry and exit permits to and from Gaza for medical and
33 patients have died before being able to access humanitarian reasons and for aid workers, there has been so far no tangible
the hospital they were referred to. For children in improvement in practice. On the contrary, there has been a decrease in the rate
particular, caregiving family members of ill children of permit approvals for entry or exit of UN agencies national humanitarian
also do not receive permits to cross, posing additional staff.54 Permit policy for aid workers and medical patients remains arbitrary,
child protection risks. Some patients seeking permits unpredictable and time consuming.
are interrogated by the Israeli intelligence services
at the Erez crossing, raising strong concerns about The sole significant positive change in the area of freedom of movement has
conditionality placed on exit for medical treatment. been an approximately fourfold increase in the numbers of businesspeople
allowed to leave and enter Gaza via the Erez crossing.55 This is an improvement
Given the absence of progress on the Israeli side and which must be built on to allow freedom of movement for all people.
increased opening of the Rafah crossing since June
2010, a substantially higher proportion of patients Human rights defenders from Gaza are also denied exit via the Erez crossing,
from Gaza are now being referred to Egypt, despite and are not allowed to meet with their counterparts in Israel and the West
the much lengthier journey to Egyptian hospitals, Bank, nor to travel abroad, while international human rights workers are denied
that can compromise emergency and patient care.58 entry to Gaza via Erez.

The need to refer patients for treatment outside Gaza Unlike on the Israeli side, there has been a significant increase in travel via
is being reinforced by Israeli restrictions on entry the Rafah crossing on the Egyptian border as a result of its increased opening
of medical equipment and spare parts. Since the since June 2010. Despite the improvement, there are still restrictions on the
easing more equipment has been allowed entry, but categories of individuals permitted to travel through the border crossing.
some essential types of equipment are still blocked,
including radiation machines for oncology, endoscopy
and laparoscopy machines for surgery, microscopes
and other optic equipment.59

Case Study: Fatma Sharif


and access to education
Fatma Sharif, a 29-year-old lawyer from Gaza, was
accepted for a Masters course on human rights and
democracy at a West Bank university and was set
to begin her studies in August 2010. However, her
request for a permit to travel to the West Bank for her
studies was rejected by the Israeli authorities.60

Israel has imposed a general ban on the passage


of people from Gaza to the West Bank, including
students, since 2000. Israel is only permitting the
exit of students with scholarships at universities
in selected friendly countries, but not students
enrolled at universities without scholarships or in
other countries. Since the easing and as the new
academic year began, no change to that policy has
been observed.

8 Continuation of the Gaza Blockade


Dashed Hopes

5. Recommendations
to the international community
Renewed international action to ensure an immediate, sustained and
unconditional lifting of the blockade in line with international law is necessary.63
That includes allowing the movement of people into and out of Gaza, ending
the ban on exports, allowing entry of construction materials including those
for the private sector and raw materials, expanding operations of the crossings,
lifting restrictions on fuel imports, and ensuring access to Gazas agricultural
land and fishing grounds. Security for both Israeli and Palestinian civilians
must be ensured and the authorities must be able to make legitimate security
checks on goods and persons going through the crossings in accordance with
international law. Reinstating and respecting the rule of international law and
enabling positive, self sufficient futures for the people will create more not
less security for the civilian populations in Israel and the occupied Palestinian
territory.

Photo credit: Karl Schembri/Oxfam Primary responsibility for ending the blockade and ensuring the welfare of
Rafah fisherman Jamal Basala used to employ 20 fishermen on his trawler, Palestinian civilians lies with Israel as the occupying power, which controls
but with the 3 nautical mile limit and daily shootings from Israeli naval Gazas air space, territorial waters, most crossing points and other important
forces his income has gone down to its lowest ever. He can no longer
employ anyone and is receiving humanitarian aid. aspects of the lives of its inhabitants. The Hamas authorities in Gaza, the
Palestinian Authority, and Egypt must also do their utmost to help Gazas
civilian population. This includes the obligation of the Hamas authorities to stop
Case Study: Jamal Basala and access and prevent all attacks against Israeli civilians immediately. 64
to Gazas fishing grounds
The international community must do its part to ensure that its repeated
While the Oslo Accords entitled Palestinians to
appeals to end the blockade are finally heeded.
access maritime areas up to 20 nautical miles
from the shore, Israel has progressively reduced
the limit to 3 nautical miles, thus barring access 1) L aunch a new, concerted diplomatic initiative for an immediate,
to 85% of the area agreed in Oslo. This has had unconditional and complete lifting of the blockade, including:
a devastating impact on Gazas fishing industry,
which is no longer able to reach schools of large allowing movement of people including humanitarian staff into and out of Gaza;
fish which remain further out to sea. From 2008 allowing exports from Gaza;
to 2009, the total catch in Gaza decreased by
47%.62 The poverty rate among Gazas 4,000 allowing entry of construction materials including those for the private sector;
fishermen has reached nearly 90%, up from 50% allowing entry of raw materials;
in 2008. 63 Israeli naval forces are enforcing
the limit by opening fire on fishing boats, even expanding operations of the crossings;
when they are within the 3 nautical mile limit, lifting restrictions on fuel imports;
sometimes leading to casualties. ensuring access to Gazas agricultural land and fishing grounds
and the protection of civilians in these areas.
2) C
 onvene a meeting of the UN Security Council to review the implmentation
of Resolution 1860 which emphasises the need to ensure sustained and
regular flow of goods and people through the Gaza crossings and calls for
tangible steps towards intra-Palestinian reconciliation. Further action
necessary for its implementation should be considered.
3) Plan a visit to Gaza as part of every high-level visit to Israel and the occupied
Palestinian territory.
4) State explicitly that the ongoing blockade is illegal under international law.
5) Support genuine investigations into, and accountability for, violations of
international human rights and international humanitarian law committed
by all parties, including the Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups as a
way to prevent future violations.

9 Continuation of the Gaza Blockade


Dashed Hopes

Endnotes
1 Statement Following the Israeli Security Cabinet Meeting, 20 June 2010, http://www.pmo.gov.il/PMOEng/Communication/Spokesman/2010/06/
spokemediniyut206010.htm
2 For example, the Quartet Representative Tony Blair stated: These changes are significant and, once implemented, should have a dramatic influence on
the daily lives of the people of Gaza and on the private sector. The Office of Tony Blair, New Gaza Guidelines Will Support Health, Education, Water and
Sanitation Projects, 5 July 2010, http://www.tonyblairoffice.org/news/entry/quartet-representative-tony-blair-welcomes-israels-publication-of-controlle.
3 Information from UNRWA Gaza as of 25 November 2010. Calculation is based on the total value of the planned construction in USD.
4 OCHA, Gaza Crossings Online Database, Period August-November 2010, http://www.ochaopt.org/GazaCrossings.aspx.
5 Israel as the occupying power in Gaza also has a duty to safeguard the health and welfare of the civilian population. International humanitarian and human
rights law permits restrictions on the passage of goods and persons that are limited to what is necessary and proportionate to concrete security threats.
Security measures must respect fundamental rights to free movement, health, decent living conditions, protection from hunger, as well as special duties to
protect children.
6 Answer given by the Israeli state prosecutor in response to a lawsuit filed by the Israeli NGO Gisha: It goes without saying that the very inclusion of this last
qualification in the article shows that damaging the enemys economy is in and of itself a legitimate means in warfare and a relevant consideration even
while deciding to allow the entry of relief consignments. 17 November 2010, http://www.gisha.org/UserFiles/File/Israel%20uses%20the%20closure%20
as%20economic%20warfare.pdf
7 International Committee of the Red Cross, Gaza Closure: Not Another Year!,14 June 2010, http://www.icrc.org/Web/Eng/siteeng0.nsf/htmlall/palestine-
update-140610.
8 Statement Following the Israeli Security Cabinet Meeting, 20 June 2010, http://www.pmo.gov.il/PMOEng/Communication/Spokesman/2010/06/
spokemediniyut206010.htm
9 OCHA, Gaza Crossings Online Database, values for January-May and August-November 2010 as compared to the first five months of 2007.
10 The negative list was published on 4 July 2010 and includes two parts
A list of military and dual-use (civilian and military) items. The dual-use part extends significantly beyond the internationally recognised Wassenaar
Arrangement list of dual-use items which is also incorporated into Israels domestic legislation
A
 list of construction items and materials to be allowed entry into Gaza only for international projects approved by the PA. Israel Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, Gaza: Lists of Controlled Entry Items, 4 July 2010, http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/HumanitarianAid/Palestinians/Lists_Controlled_Entry_Items_4-
Jul-2010.htm.
11 For example, industrial machinery and equipment and materials for water and sanitation projects. According to the WASH Cluster oPt, merely 25% of
materials requested for WASH projects have been allowed into Gaza since the easing, although at least 61% of the materials are not listed as restricted
items and therefore should be allowed without a special permit. Information from the WASH Cluster oPt, 27 October 2010. See also OCHA, The
Humanitarian Monitor, September 2010, http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_the_humanitarian_monitor_2010_10_19_english.pdf.
12 PalTrade, Gaza Strip - Crossings Bi-Monthly Monitoring Report, August-September 2010, 14 October 2010, http://www.paltrade.org/cms/images/
enpublications/GAZA%20REPORT%20Aug%20_%20Sep.pdf.
13 OCHA, Gaza Crossings Online Database, Period August-November 2010, http://www.ochaopt.org/GazaCrossings.aspx.
14 Information from UNRWA Gaza as of 25 November 2010.
15 Operation of the Karni conveyor belt was supposed to be increased from 80 truckloads on 2 days per week to 120 truckloads on 3 days per week. Maj.
Gen. Eitan Dangot, Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, Easing of the Closure of Gaza, 6 July 2010, http://dover.idf.il/IDF/English/
News/today/10/07/0601.htm; OCHA, The Humanitarian Monitor, July 2010, http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_the_humanitarian_
monitor_2010_08_25_english.pdf..
16 OCHA, Gaza Crossings Online Database, values for January-May and August-November 2010, http://www.ochaopt.org/GazaCrossings.aspx
17 OCHA, Gaza Crossings Online Database, values for January-May and August-November 2010, http://www.ochaopt.org/GazaCrossings.aspx
18 Gisha, Facts Behind MFA Report on Easing of Gaza Closure, 21 September 2010, http://www.gisha.org/index.php?intLanguage=2&intSiteSN=119&intIt
emId=1890.
19 In September 2010, only 47% of UN agencies requests for entry or exit of their national staff were approved and in October only 45%, down from the
average of 76% during the first half of 2010. OCHA, The Humanitarian Monitor,September 2010, http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_the_
humanitarian_monitor_2010_10_19_english.pdf. OCHA, The Humanitarian Monitor, October 2010, http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_the_
humanitarian_monitor_2010_11_12_english.pdf
20 See e.g. Associated Press, Israeli General Lays Out Plan for Reviving Gaza, 26 October 2010, http://www.salon.com/wires/print.html?story=D9J3APHG0_
ml_israel_gaza_s_gatekeeper.
21 PalTrade, Gaza Strip - Crossings Bi-Monthly Monitoring Report, August-September 2010, 14 October 2010, http://www.paltrade.org/cms/images/
enpublications/GAZA%20REPORT%20Aug%20_%20Sep.pdf
22 OCHA/World Food Programme, Between the Fence and a Hard Place: The Humanitarian Impact of Israeli-Imposed Restrictions on Access to Land and Sea in
the Gaza Strip, Special Focus, August 2010, http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_special_focus_2010_08_19_english.pdf.
23 Numbers since 1 July 2010. Information provided by OCHA Jerusalem, 4 November 2010.
24 OCHA, Gaza Crossings Online Database, http://www.ochaopt.org/GazaCrossings.aspx. Prior to the blockade construction and raw materials made up 65%
of import volumes. Information from OCHA Jerusalem 12 November 2010.
25 PalTrade, Gaza Strip - Crossings Bi-Monthly Monitoring Report, August-September 2010, 14 October 2010, http://www.paltrade.org/cms/images/
enpublications/GAZA%20REPORT%20Aug%20_%20Sep.pdf.
26 Israeli representatives have signalled willingness to open up some exports by spring 2011 but make it conditional on the presence of the Palestinian
Authority at the crossings. See e.g. Associated Press, Israeli General Lays Out Plan for Reviving Gaza, 26 October 2010, http://www.salon.com/wires/print.
html?story=D9J3APHG0_ml_israel_gaza_s_gatekeeper. Limited shipments of carnations and strawberries have been exported in the past without PA
presence at the crossings.
27 PalTrade, Gaza Strip - Crossings Bi-Monthly Monitoring Report, August-September 2010, 14 October 2010, http://www.paltrade.org/cms/images/
enpublications/GAZA%20REPORT%20Aug%20_%20Sep.pdf.
28 Ibid.
29 The World Bank, The Underpinnings of the Future Palestinian State: Sustainable Growth and Institutions, Economic Monitoring Report to the Ad Hoc Liaison
Committee, 21 September 2010, http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTWESTBANKGAZA/Resources/WorldBankSep2010AHLCReport.pdf.
30 PalTrade, Gaza Strip - Crossings Bi-Monthly Monitoring Report, August-September 2010, 14 October 2010, http://www.paltrade.org/cms/images/
enpublications/GAZA%20REPORT%20Aug%20_%20Sep.pdf. There has been a limited improvement in these indicators relative to 2009. According to the
World Bank, this is mainly the result of firms having had time to adapt to the blockade and of increased access to goods imported through the tunnels. The
World Bank, The Underpinnings of the Future Palestinian State: Sustainable Growth and Institutions, Economic Monitoring Report to the Ad Hoc Liaison
Committee, 21 September 2010, http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTWESTBANKGAZA/Resources/WorldBankSep2010AHLCReport.pdf.

10 Continuation of the Gaza Blockade


Dashed Hopes

31 PalTrade, Gaza Strip - Crossings Bi-Monthly Monitoring Report, August-September 2010, 14 October 2010, http://www.paltrade.org/cms/images/
enpublications/GAZA%20REPORT%20Aug%20_%20Sep.pdf; The Independent, How Good News Became Bad for Gaza. Israel Eased the Trade
Embargo - But Its Bringing Some Palestinian Businesses to Their Knees,10 October 2010, http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-
east/how-good-news-became-bad-for-gaza-2102586.html; BBC News Middle East, Gaza Businesses Boxed in by Israeli Export Ban, 2 November
2010,http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11668080; Gisha, Gaza Gateway Facts and Analysis about the Crossings, For Gaza Tailors,
Market is Flooded, External Markets are Banned, 26 August 2010, http://www.gazagateway.org/2010/08/for-gaza-tailors-market-is-flooded-
external-markets-are-banned/.
32 The World Bank, The Underpinnings of the Future Palestinian State: Sustainable Growth and Institutions, Economic Monitoring Report to the Ad Hoc
Liaison Committee, 21 September 2010, http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTWESTBANKGAZA/Resources/WorldBankSep2010AHLCReport.pdf.
33 Macroeconomic and Fiscal Framework for the West Bank and Gaza: Sixth Review of Progress, Staff Report for the Meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison
Committee, 21 September 2010,http://www.imf.org/external/country/WBG/RR/2010/092110.pdf
34 Ibid.
35 UNRWA, Thousands missing out on eduction in Gaza, 6 July 2010, http://www.unrwa.org/etemplate.php?id=731.
36 World Food Programme/Food and Agriculture Organization, Occupied Palestinian Territory - Food Security and Vulnerability Analysis Report,
December 2009, http://home.wfp.org/stellent/groups/public/documents/ena/wfp213663.pdf.
37 The World Bank, The Underpinnings of the Future Palestinian State: Sustainable Growth and Institutions, Economic Monitoring Report to the Ad
Hoc Liaison Committee, 21 September 2010, http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTWESTBANKGAZA/Resources/WorldBankSep2010AHLCReport.
pdf. Macroeconomic and Fiscal Framework for the West Bank and Gaza: Sixth Review of Progress, Staff Report for the Meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison
Committee, 21 September 2010, http://www.imf.org/external/country/WBG/RR/2010/092110.pdf.
38 OCHA, The Humanitarian Monitor, September 2010, http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_the_humanitarian_monitor_2010_10_19_
english.pdf.
39 EWASH, WASH Cluster oPt Monthly Situation Report, 30 October 2010.
40 EWASH, The Impact of the Blockade on Water and Sanitation in Gaza, July 2010.
41 Ibid.
42 Information from UNRWA Gaza as of 23 November 2010.
43 Shelter Sector Gaza, Gaza Housing Needs after Three Years of Blockade and War, Shelter Advocacy Fact-Sheet 2, June 2010, http://www.ngovoice.org/
documents/Shelter%20Gaza-fact-sheet-2-June%202010.pdf. See also IRIN, OPT: Obstacles on Road to Gaza Rebuilding, 30 June 2010, http://www.
irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=89679.
44 OCHA, Gaza Crossings Online Database, Period August-October 2010, http://www.ochaopt.org/GazaCrossings.aspx.
45 Information from UNRWA as of 25 November 2010.
46 IDF, Easing of the Closure of Gaza, 6 July 2010, http://dover.idf.il/IDF/English/News/today/10/07/0601.htm; OCHA, The Humanitarian Monitor, July
2010. http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_the_humanitarian_monitor_2010_08_25_english.pdf.
47 OCHA, Gaza Crossings Online Database, values for January-May and August-November 2010. http://www.ochaopt.org/GazaCrossings.aspx
48 Information provided by UNRWA. See also OCHA, The Humanitarian Monitor, September 2010, http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_the_
humanitarian_monitor_2010_10_19_english.pdf and Gisha, Due to Gaza Closure, 40,000 Students Refused from UNRWA Schools, 15 September 2010,
http://www.gisha.org/index.php?intLanguage=2&intSiteSN=113&intItemId=1871.
49 These items are not part of the internationally recognised Wassenaar Arrangement list of dual use items which is also incorporated into Israels
domestic legislation.
50 Information provided by UNRWA Gaza 23 November 2010.
51 Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gaza: Lists of Controlled Entry Items, 4 July 2010, http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/HumanitarianAid/Palestinians/
Lists_Controlled_Entry_Items_4-Jul-2010.htm.
52 Figure for August-October 2010. In April-June 2010, the monthly average has been 2,083. Data provided by Gisha, November 2010.
53 Gisha, Facts Behind MFA Report on Easing of Gaza Closure, 21 September 2010, http://www.gisha.org/index.php?intLanguage=2&intSiteSN=119&
intItemId=1890.
54 In September 2010, only 47% of UN agencies requests for entry or exit of their national staff were approved and in October only 45%, down from
the average of 76% during the first half of 2010. OCHA, The Humanitarian Monitor, September 2010, http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_
opt_the_humanitarian_monitor_2010_10_19_english.pdf. OCHA, The Humanitarian Monitor, October 2010, http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/
ocha_opt_the_humanitarian_monitor_2010_11_12_english.pdf.
55 The number of exit permits for businesspeople increased from an average of 114 in April-June 2010 to 448 in August-October 2010. Data provided by
Gisha, November 2010.
56 Physicians for Human Rights Israel, Delayed Exit of a Toddler from Gaza Results in Death, 20 October 2010, http://theonlydemocracy.org/2010/10/
phr-israel-delayed-exit-of-a-toddler-from-gaza-results-in-death/.
57 WHO, MONTHLY REPORT Referral of Patients from the Gaza Strip, September 2010. http://www.issuu.com/who-opt/docs/update_rad_
september_2010.
58 The numbers of patients referred to Egypt have roughly doubled since June 2010. Whereas between January and May 2010 24% of patients referred
to hospitals outside Gaza went to Egypt, since June Egypts share of referrals has risen to 41%. WHO, MONTHLY REPORT Referral of Patients from the
Gaza Strip, September 2010. http://www.issuu.com/who-opt/docs/update_rad_september_2010.
59 Information provided by Physicians for Human Rights Israel, October 2010.
60 Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, and Gisha, Human Rights Lawyer in Gaza to Baroness Catherine Ashton: Use Your Power to Assist Students from
Gaza to Reach Their Studies in the West Bank, 18 July 2010, http://www.mezan.org/en/details.php?id=10499&ddname=crossings_education&id_
dept=31&id2=9&p=center.
61 Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Farming without Land, Fishing without Water: Gaza Agriculture Sector Struggles to Survive, May 2010,
http://unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/0/9A265F2A909E9A1D8525772E004FC34B.
62 Poverty defined as monthly income below 190 USD. International Committee of the Red Cross, Gaza Closure: Not Another Year!,14 June 2010, http://
www.icrc.org/Web/Eng/siteeng0.nsf/htmlall/palestine-update-140610.
63 Council of the European Union, EU Council conclusions on Gaza, 3023rd Foreign Affairs Council meeting Luxembourg, 14 June 2010: In line with
UNSC Resolution 1860, the EU reiterates its call for an immediate, sustained and unconditional opening of crossings for the flow of humanitarian aid,
commercial goods and persons to and from Gaza including goods from the West Bank. The Council calls for a solution that addresses Israels legitimate
security concerns including a complete stop to all violence and arms smuggling into Gaza. . http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/
docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/115158.pdf.
64 From June to November 2010 30 mortars and 40 missiles were fired from Gaza into Israel causing no casualties. 17. November 2010, http://www.mfa.
gov.il/MFA/Terrorism-+Obstacle+to+Peace/Hamas+war+against+Israel/Palestinian_ceasefire_violations_since_end_Operation_Cast_Lead.htm

11 Continuation of the Gaza Blockade


This report is published by: Amnesty International Uk BROEDERLIJK DELEN Cafod Ccfd-Terre Solidaire Christian Aid Church
Of Sweden Cordaid Diakonia Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (Emhrn) Handicap International ICCO Ikv
Pax Christi International Federation For Human Rights (Fidh) Medical Aid For Palestinians Medico InternationaL
MERLIN Ms Action Aid Denmark Norwegian Refugee Council (Nrc) Quaker Council For European Affairs Oxfam
International Rehabilitation And Research Centre For Torture Victims (Rct) Redd Barna Save The Children Uk Trocaire UCP

For more information please contact: kristian.brakel@crisisaction.org


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